STF is UP's Samajwadi Task Force: Cong

STF is losing its sheen because of its massive misuse for political purposes by SP, reports Masoodul Hasan.

The State Congress on Sunday blasted the elite Special Task Force (STF) of UP police for turning into “Samajwadi Task Force” to serve the vested interest of ruling Samajwadi Party in the state.

The Congress said the STF, which had brought laurels for the state by its excellent performance in cracking criminal cases, had now completely sullied its image.

The UPCC spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh told newsmen in Lucknow on Sunday said STF had lost its sheen because of its massive misuse for political purpose. Even senior police officers are not happy with the questionable activities of the STF.

An ADG-level officer expressed concern over STF cops “going Daya Naik way”. While the STF’s theory about the rescue operation of three-year-old boy Anant Gupta has been blown to pieces, in the past the STF-led so-called encounter of dreaded Chambal dacoit Nirbahy Gurjar had also raised questions in the police circle.

The Congress leader said during the last three years STF had not only been politicized but it had been providing protection to Mafiosi close to the government. Singh said the people facing deteriorating law and order situation had also lost faith in STF.

He said STF’s role had been badly exposed in BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder case, kidnapping of Anant and in phone tapping of a SP leader. Singh said the state government had driven away the STF from its basic responsibilities.

Singh large number of MLAs and ministers had been facing criminal charges and the High Court had directed the state government to take action against these criminals.

However the state government instead of controlling rising crime had been protecting the criminals. Singh it was for this reason there had been sharp increase in crimes.